Experimental evaluation of multi-PHY 6TiSCH networks

Abstract

The architectural design of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications requires the careful planning and selection of an appropriate operational strategy. Harmonization of standards is crucial to ensure easier certification and commercialization of IIoT solutions. The ongoing research activities are directed toward designing agile, reliable, and secure transmission technologies and protocols. Recently, Time Slotted Channel Hopping (TSCH) standardization bodies have started to consider support for multiple physical layers thus accommodating a wide range of applications. This paper presents the results of the extensive experimental measurement campaign to study the performance of the 6TiSCH (IPv6 over the TSCH mode of IEEE 802.15.4e) network while supporting multiple physical layers (PHYs). For measurement purposes, all experiments were performed on OpenMote-B hardware. These devices are equipped with an Atmel AT86RF215 dual radio transceiver implementing IEEE 802.15.4g. The performance evaluation is provided for the following metrics: network formation time, Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), latency, and duty cycle. Results are encouraging, particularly in terms of high PDR for all tested PHYs. Performance evaluation indicates the importance of proper node positioning, link quality estimation and careful selection of network parameters. Moreover, collected experimental results create a dataset that provides insights into the tested PHYs' performance and their potential for indoor 6TiSCH networking.

Phase-Based Distance Estimation Integrated With IEEE 802.15.4 TSCH Communication

“…The iCDE algorithm, however, requires a larger set of input samples to achieve desired accuracy and sensitivity, thus obtained 15 samples are not enough. As presented with (7), by using phase samples measured at frequencies designed with a Golomb ruler, we can uniquely expand the measured K = 15 samples into sets of M = 105 samples. Yet, the frequency step of an expanded set of measurements is not equal for each measurement, as seen in Figure 6.…”

“…One of the representatives of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard is the Time Slotted Channel Hopping (TSCH) protocol, introduced in the 2015 revision [6], which significantly improves the packet delivery rate by using the channel hopping technique. It offers high reliability, low or at least predictable delay, and low power consumption, which is perfect for critical low-power applications and the Industrial IoT (IIoT) [7].…”